Rich in protein and an excellent source of calcium, yogurt is a nutrient-dense food that can be eaten at any meal to provide an array of benefits to the body. Greek yogurt is generally one of the healthier iterations as it’s often lower in sugar and less processed than other yogurts, but you may find that the variations which are best for your body may be significantly lacking in flavor.
It’s here that toppings enter the equation as an opportunity to boost the taste and nutritional value of your bowl of yogurt, with some ingredients better for your body than others. We spoke with registered dietitian Trista Best who revealed the best yogurt topping for a natural metabolism improvement along with delicious taste, so you can create the most filling and satisfying bowl to meet your nutritional needs without skimping on flavor.
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Berries
It’s been well documented that eating five servings of fruits and vegetables each day will improve your overall health, and adding berries atop your bowl of yogurt is perhaps one of the easiest ways to meet this goal. “[Berries] contain antioxidants, which benefit overall health, but also help the body process nutrients and calories more efficiently as they reduce oxidative damage that can slow this process down significantly,” explains Best.
Antioxidants can be useful in improving the speed of your metabolism, in turn increasing your energy levels and even cutting down on inflammation in the body which can hinder you from feeling great.
Many popular yogurt toppings such as granola undeniably offer delicious flavor, but berries are significantly lower in calories which can be beneficial as you can eat large volumes of them to keep you full without making an impact on the calorie deficit needed to achieve healthy weight loss.
“[Berries] are low in calories compared to other possible toppings, which means they aren't adding much to the calorie content of your yogurt and ultimately leading to overconsumption of calories and weight gain,” notes Best. “Options like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries can be added to improve the nutritional value and flavor of your yogurt.”
The speed of your metabolism is determined by a number of factors, but many berries contain a flavonoid called anthocyanin which causes the body to create adiponectin. This hormone has a variety of benefits on the body, with some of the most notable being craving maintenance and an increase in metabolic efficacy. These berries also contain ample amounts of fiber which have been known to keep the body full for longer, making you less likely to snack throughout the day and consequently creating a healthy calorie deficit with ease.
While there are a variety of toppings you can add to your yogurt that will increase both the taste and nutritional value of this meal, berries are far and away one of the best options for your metabolic health and overall wellness. Containing a host of antioxidants and fiber, berries will increase satiety, boost your metabolism, and sweeten your meal naturally for a satisfying and filling snack that actually supports your body.
